Data processing apparatus and method that notifies a user when data transferred

ABSTRACT

A data processing apparatus, such as a facsimile apparatus, connected to a LAN, that transmits and/or receives data to or from another apparatus, wherein even if an error or failure such as a printer error or an insufficiency of available space in image memory for storing image data occurs, the required process is continued by transferring the image data from the data processing apparatus to another apparatus also connected to the LAN. The data processing apparatus has the capability of detecting an error in the LAN when the apparatus is connected to the LAN. This allows the data processing apparatus to operate correctly without problems that might otherwise occur due to the error in the LAN. The data processing apparatus also has the capability of operating in an adequate process mode corresponding to a process command contained in a received packet. This allows effective use of the data processing apparatus.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/352,883, filedon Dec. 9, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus such as afacsimile apparatus having the capability of data communication. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a data processingapparatus connectable to another apparatus via a LAN (local areanetwork).

2. Description of the Related Art

Some conventional data processing apparatuses such as a facsimileapparatus have the capability of sending an error message to an anotherapparatus when an error such as a printer error, insufficiency of freememory area of image data memory for storing image data, etc., occurs inthe facsimile apparatus. However, a facsimile apparatus of this typesuffers from the problem that the receiving operation stops until theapparatus recovers from the error.

Furthermore, in a conventional facsimile apparatus, when the apparatusreceives a large amount of data during image data communication, sincethe decoding rate is slow compared to the line transmission rate, thereceiving memory often becomes busy, and action (such as sending an RNRsignal) is taken according to a protocol procedure. As a result, thetotal communication time becomes longer, and in some cases, thecommunication is terminated before completion. On the other hand, whenthe facsimile apparatus transmits a large amount of image data, sincethe reading rate of its scanner is higher than the transmission rate,memory for storing transmission data often becomes busy, and thus themachine must take action such as stopping the scanner operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a data processing apparatus having the capability of acceptingdata transmitted by another apparatus even when an error occurs in thedata processing apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dataprocessing apparatus that can continue the transmission/reception ofimage data and the data storing operation without prolonging thecommunication time even when memory for storing image data is busy.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a dataprocessing apparatus having the capability of detecting an error in aLAN when connected to the LAN.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dataprocessing apparatus having the capability of transferring image data toanother data processing apparatus connected to a LAN depending on thestatus of the data processing apparatus connected to the LAN.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a dataprocessing apparatus having the capability of receiving image data fromanother apparatus connected to a LAN.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dataprocessing apparatus that can be controlled by another apparatusconnected to a LAN.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects of the invention will become more apparentfrom the subsequent detailed description with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a facsimile apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention wherein thefacsimile apparatus is connected to a LAN;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimileapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention whereinonly major elements are shown;

FIGS. 3-5 are flow charts illustrating operation flows of a facsimileapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a memory area configurationfor explanation of a memory managing method in a facsimile apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7-15 are flow charts illustrating operation flows of a facsimileapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating stored-page managementinformation managed in a facsimile apparatus according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a table used for managingstored-page management information remaining unused in a facsimileapparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 18 and 19 are flow charts illustrating operation flows of afacsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of theconfiguration of an alarm mechanism in a facsimile apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the alarm mechanismis used to notify a user of LAN conditions;

FIG. 21 is a time chart illustrating an example of automatic setting ofoperation modes in a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 22 and 23 are flow charts illustrating operation flows of afacsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating the organization of IPaddresses used in a TCP/IP protocol.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system construction towhich a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is applied.

The facsimile apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment has thecapability of being connected directly to a LAN 100 (a facsimileapparatus of this type will be referred to a LAN-FAX hereinafter).

Reference numeral 102 denotes a communication line such as an ISDN(integrated service digital network), a PSTN (public-switched telephonenetwork), etc., that is connected to the LAN-FAX 101.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a server machine or a computer forcontrolling the LAN 100, wherein the server machine 103 acts as a fileserver for managing files on the LAN 100. Reference numerals 104 denoteclient machines (information processing terminals) connected to the LAN100. Reference numeral 105 denotes a printer server that accepts printrequests from client machines 104 and outputs print data to printers106. Each printing apparatus 106 connected to the printer server 105outputs print image data in a visual form. If an address is designated,a corresponding printing apparatus is selected from the plurality ofprinting apparatuses 106 connected to the printer server 105, and thusit is possible to perform a printing operation using a desired printingapparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration ofthe LAN-FAX 101 according to the present embodiment, wherein only majorelements are shown. The LAN-FAX 101 performs various processingassociated with facsimile communication using a CPU 201 and itsperipheral elements. The CPU 201 is connected to ROM 202, RAM 203, imagedata memory 204, a resolution conversion processing unit 205, acommunication codec 206, a read/record codec 207, a modem 208, an NCU209, an image processor 210, a scanner 211, an operation panel 212, aline buffer 213, a LAN interface 214, a printer 215, a printer formatter216, and an external display 217. The CPU 201 acts as a systemcontroller responsible for the control of the whole of LAN-FAX 101.

Various control programs are preset in the ROM 202 so that the CPU 201performs various processing described later according to these controlprograms. The RAM 203 is constructed with for example static RAM (SRAM).The RAM 203 is used as work memory for storing program controlvariables. The RAM 203 also stores other various data including varioussetting values registered by an operator via the operation panel 212 anddata associated with device management. The image data memory 204 isused to store image data, and comprises recording media such as dynamicRAM (DRAM), a hard disk, floppy disk, etc.

The resolution conversion processing unit 205 performs resolutionconversion, for example mm-inch conversion, on raster data. Thecommunication codec (coding and decoding processing unit forcommunication) 206 performs coding and decoding on image data forcommunication. The read/record codec (coding and decoding processingunit for read and record operations) 207 performs read/recordoperations. The modem 208 modulates and demodulates facsimiletransmission and reception signals. The NCU 209 performs line controlsuch as automatic calling and answering control in which selectionsignals (dial pulse or tone dialer) are automatically sent over thecommunication line 102 and calling tones are automatically detected.

The scanner 211 comprises a CS image sensor, original-document-sheettransfer mechanism, and other elements known to those in the art. Thescanner 211 optically reads the information associated with an originaldocument or printed material and converts it into electric image data.The image processor 210 performs various correction processing on theimage data read by the scanner 211 and outputs resultant high-qualityimage data. The operation panel 212 has a keyboard through which anoperator inputs various information.

The line buffer 213 stores image data temporarily line by line duringtransfer of the image data. The LAN interface 214 serves as an interfacefor the connection to the LAN 100. In this embodiment, the LAN 100 ispreferably a network based on a protocol in accordance with the TCP(Transmission Control Protocol)/IP (Internet Protocol). The LANinterface 214 is also based on the protocol in accordance with theTCP/IP.

The printer 215 is a laser beam printer (LBP) for recording the receivedimage data or file data on recording paper. When file data received froma client machine 104 is printed, the printer formatter 216 analyzes theprinter description language and converts the file data to image dataaccording to the analysis result.

If an error occurs in the LAN 100, the external display 217 gives a userwarning of the error by displaying a warning message or by causing thedisplay to blink.

A selector 218 analyzes a process command received from a client machine104 connected to the LAN 100, and sets the operation mode of the LAN-FAX101 to a communication mode, recording mode, or reading mode accordingto the analysis result.

Referring to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the receivingoperation of the LAN-FAX 101 will be described below.

First, sender information, that has been received from a sending stationand stored in an NSF (non-standard function) frame, is analyzed and setas a sending user name (step S301). The sender information stored in theNSF frame represents the user name (log-in name) of the destination userand is stored as the destination name in the form of ASCII codes. Morespecifically, the sender information is stored in the RAM 203.

Then, the status of the printer 215 of the LAN-FAX 101 is analyzed. Inthis embodiment, the possible statuses of the printer 215 include NORMALstatus, in which the printer 215 is available, BUSY status, in which theprinter 215 is being used in another task, and ERROR status, which meansthat an error has occurred in the printer 215.

Then, it is determined whether the status of the printer 215 is ERRORstatus or not (step S302). If the status is not ERROR status, thenwhether it is BUSY is determined (step S303). If the status is BUSY,then the status of the image data memory 204 in the LAN-FAX 101 ischecked (step S304) so as to determine whether an error has occurred inthe image data memory 204 judging from the remaining room in the imagedata memory 204 or from other parameters.

If no errors occur in the image data memory 204, then the process skipsthe steps associated with the transferring of image data stored in theimage data memory 204, and proceeds to step S308, in which image data isreceived and stored in the image data memory 204, that is, a memoryreceiving operation is performed. On the other hand, if there is anerror in the image data memory 204, then the image data stored in theimage data memory 204 is transferred. In this transferring operation, animage data file stored in the image data memory 204 is retrieved first(step S305). The types of image data files stored in the image datamemory 204 include a memory-reception image data file, amemory-transmission image data file,a timer-transmission image datafile, a print image data file, and a polling-transmission image datafile. These image data files are accessed depending on the followingcauses or factors.

(1) A memory-reception image data file is accessed by a user and printedout.

(2) A memory-transmission image data file is automatically transmittedas soon as the communication line becomes available.

(3) A timer-transmission image data file is automatically transmitted ata time set in the timer.

(4) A print image data file is printed as soon as the printer 215becomes available.

(5) A polling-transmission image data file is transmitted in response toa call-in from a polling receiving station.

In this embodiment, the transmission priorities are defined according tothe types of image data files to improve the throughput of theapparatus. For example, a memory-reception image data file is a filethat is to be processed in response to user's access, and therefore thistype of file has a high transfer priority. A polling transmission imagedata file is a file that is accessed from the outside via thecommunication line 102, and therefore its transfer priority is set to alow level. More specifically, the priorities are set in the order ofmemory-reception image data files>timer-transmission image datafiles>memory-transmission image data files>print image data file>pollingtransmission image data file. In other words, files having a greaternecessity of remaining in the LAN-FAX 101 remain in the image datamemory 204 of the LAN-FAX 101.

In step S305, therefore, image data files are retrieved according to theabove transfer priority order. Thus, the file type of an image data fileto be transmitted is set (step S306), and the image data file is thentransferred to the server machine 103 (step S307).

The transfer of an image data file to the server machine 103 will bedescribed further. First, a transfer image data file is produced on thebasis of the address of the server machine 103 associated with the LAN100. This transfer image data file is produced in accordance with theprotocol of the LAN 100 through which the file is to be transferred. Inthis embodiment, since the protocol of the LAN 100 is defined accordingto TCP/IP protocol, the transfer image data file is constructedaccording to the TCP/IP protocol. That is, as shown in FIG. 24, thetransfer image data file is composed of an MAC (Media Access Control)address, an IP header, a TCP header, data, and other fields. In FIG. 24,reference numeral 2403 denotes the destination's MAC address (6 bytes),representing the destination to which data is to be sent. Referencenumeral 2404 denotes the source's MAC address (6 bytes), representingthe source from which the data is sent. MAC addresses are uniquelyassigned to individual devices connected to the LAN. These MAC addressescorrespond to a data link layer of the OSI layer 7. Reference numeral2406 denotes an IP header corresponding to the protocol of the networklayer in the OSI layer 7. In this IP header, addresses required foraccessing a device connected to the network are defined. That is, the IPheader includes an IP address 2406 a of a source and an IP address 2406b of a destination. Reference numeral 2407 denotes a TCP headercorresponding to a transport layer in which prescription is given forensuring high reliability in the data transfer. Reference numeral 2408denotes a data field corresponding to an application layer of the OSIlayer 7.

In this LAN-FAX 101, when the data destination designated by the MACaddress 2403 is an apparatus connected to the LAN, the data isautomatically transferred to that apparatus designated by the address.

As described above, a transfer image data file is organized according tothe TCP/IP protocol, and thus includes MAC addresses, an IP header, aTCP header, a data field, and other fields. In this embodiment, whenimage data to be transferred is stored in memory of the server machine103, it is required to identify its file type and file number. For thispurpose, the above-described data field includes a command data filecontaining file information associated with the above items as well asan image data file containing image data. A data file transfer operationis controlled by transmitting both these files. Of two types of files,the command data file is analyzed by application software for file typeanalysis stored in the server machine 103 whereby the server machine 103manages the file type of a transfer image data file.

When the transfer image data file has been transferred to the servermachine 103 in step S307, the available area of the image data memory204 becomes greater than a required value. Thus, a receiving operationto receive the image data starts, and one page of reception image datais stored in the image data memory 204 (step S308). Then, it isdetermined whether there is a next page in the reception image data(step S309). If there is a next page in the reception image data, thenthe process returns to step S304, in which the memory receivingoperation is continued.

On the other hand, if there is no further page in the reception imagedata, then it is determined whether the type of the image data file thatwas transferred in step S307 is a highest-transfer-prioritymemory-reception image data file (step S310). If the transferred imagedata file is not of that type, the image data file that was transferredto the server machine 103 and saved there temporarily has a highertransfer priority than the image data (received image data file) thathas been stored in the image data memory 204 at this time in step S308.Therefore, the received image data file that has been stored at thistime in the image data memory 204 is replaced with the image data filethat was saved temporarily in the server machine 103.

That is, at the first step of the file replacement, the received imagedata file that has been stored in the image data memory 204 istransferred to the server machine 103 (step S311). Of the image datafiles (transfer image data files) saved temporarily in the servermachine 103, that image data file having the lowest transfer priority istransferred back to the image data memory 204 first, then the image datafile having the next lowest transfer priority is transferred back next,and so on (step S312).

The above transferring-back operation is performed by sending atransferring-back request and the information on the remaining availablearea of the image data memory 204 to the server machine 103 according tothe TCP/IP protocol. The server machine 103 analyzes the types of thereceived transfer image data files under the control of theabove-described application software for file type analysis, andtransfers these files in turn in the order opposite to the transferpriority, taking into account the information on the remaining availablememory area received from the LAN-FAX 101. In the above operation, if auser of the LAN-FAX 101 issues a request for printing a received imagedata file stored in the server machine 103, the LAN-FAX 101automatically sends a transferring-back request to the server machine103 so as to print the requested file.

If the decision result in step S303 has shown that the printer 215 isnot in BUSY status, that is, if it is in NORMAL status, then it isdetermined whether the printer 215 is in the memory receiving mode ornot (step S313). If the printer 215 is in the memory receiving mode,then the process proceeds to step S304 to perform the memory receivingoperation.

On the other hand, if the printer 215 is not in the memory receivingmode, that is, if it is in the recording-on-recording-paper receivingmode, then one page of data is received and recorded on recording paper(step S314). Then, whether there is a next page in the receiving imagedata is determined (step S315). If there is a next page in the receivingimage data, then the process returns to step S314 and continues therecording-on-recording-paper receiving operation. If there is no furtherpage in the receiving image data, the operation is complete.

In step S302, if it has been judged that the printer 215 is in the ERRORstatus, then the data is transferred to the printing apparatus 106connected to the LAN 100, thereby outputting the data. First, in thiscase, a print request is sent to the printer server 105 that controlsthe spooling operation on the LAN 100 associated with print image (stepS401). Then, the status information of the printing apparatus 106 sentback in response to the above print request is analyzed so as todetermine whether the printing apparatus 106 is available or not (stepS402). If the printing apparatus 106 is not available, the processproceeds to the above-described step S304.

If the printing apparatus 106 is available, then an image data receivingoperation starts (step S403), and the received image data is transferredin turn to the printer server 105 (step S404). In the above transferringoperation, the image data is configured according to the TCP/IP protocolin which the image data is divided into several portions each includinga predetermined amount of image data, and then each portion istransferred in turn. The printer server 105 stores the received imagedata. When the amount of the received image data has reached one page,the printer server 105 transfers the received image data to a printingapparatus 106, which in turn prints the received image data (step S405).Then, whether the image data receiving operation is complete or not isdetermined (step S406). If the operation is not complete yet, then theprocess returns to step S404 to continue the transferring and printingoperation. The process during steps S402 through S405 is performed usingapplication software for remote printing that has been installedbeforehand in the printer server 105.

After the completion of the receiving operation, the server machine 103sends a reception-report mail to the user who sent the data so as toreport that the received image data file has been printed by means ofremote printing on a printing apparatus 106 connected to the LAN 100.

That is, in step S407, the LAN-FAX 101 produces reception-reportinformation based on the sender information obtained in step S301, andsends it to the server machine 103 (step S408). Then, the server machine103 produces a reception-report mail based on the reception-reportinformation received from the LAN-FAX 101, and sends thereception-report mail to the corresponding user (step S409), and thenthe process is complete.

In the above-described operation, the server machine 103 produces thereception-report mail under the control of application software forreception-report mail production that has been installed beforehand inthe server machine 103. The destination of the reception-report mail isset by retrieving the address corresponding to the sender information,or the user name information from a log-in user address map that ismanaged by the server machine 103.

When the remote printing is performed, the address of the printingapparatus 106 is stored in the RAM 203 so that the address may be outputlater for confirmation.

The printing apparatus 106 itself also outputs a report telling that theremote printing has been performed.

In the first embodiment, as described above, if the remaining availablearea of the image data memory 204 for storing reception image data isinsufficient, image data stored in the image data memory 204 istransferred to the server machine 103 so that the available area of theimage data memory 204 becomes sufficient to perform a receivingoperation.

Furthermore, priorities are defined for files to be transferred to theserver machine 103 so that files having a greater necessity of remainingin the LAN-FAX 101 can remain in the LAN-FAX 101, wherebyhigh-efficiency processing can be achieved.

If an error occurs in the printer 215 and thus the printer 215 cannotprint data, the print data is transferred to a printer server 105 andprinted by the printing apparatus 106. Furthermore, the address of theprinting apparatus 106 that has printed the data is stored so that it ispossible to know which printing apparatus 106 has printed the data. Inthe above processing, the LAN-FAX 101 produces reception-reportinformation based on the address information and sends it to the servermachine 103. The server machine 103 sends a reception-report mail to asending user to tell that the received data has been remote-printedusing a printing apparatus 106 so that the operator who sent the data tothe LAN-FAX 101 can easily know the result.

Second Embodiment

In the above first embodiment, if an error is detected in the LAN-FAX101 during a receiving operation, image data is transferred to theserver machine 103. Alternatively, when the LAN-FAX 101 receives arequest to print a file such as a document file produced by a clientmachine (information processing terminal) 104 connected to the LAN 100,if an error is detected in the LAN-FAX 101, then the file such as adocument file to be printed (hereafter refer to as a print file) may betransferred to the printer server 105.

The printing operation by the LAN-FAX 101 will be described referring tothe flow chart shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the print file isdescribed using a page description language and is printed with fontsdeveloped by the printer formatter 216.

First, the LAN-FAX 101 accepts a print request from a client machine 104(step S501). Then, the LAN-FAX 101 analyzes which client machine 104 hasissued the print request, and obtains and sets address information suchas the IP address of the client machine 104 with respect to the LAN 100(step S502).

The print file is received via the LAN interface 214 and stored in imagedata memory 204 of the LAN-FAX 101 (step S503). In the above operation,the transmission and reception of the print file are performed accordingto the TCP/IP protocol.

The operation status of a printer installed in the LAN-FAX 101(hereafter referred to as a LAN-FAX printer) 215 is then checked, thatis, whether it is available or not is determined (step S504). If it isavailable, then the LAN-FAX printer 215 starts a printing operation toprint the print file (step S511). Once the printing operation iscomplete (step S512), the process is complete.

On the other hand, if the LAN-FAX printer 215 is not available, theoperation status of a printing apparatus 106 connected to the LAN 100 ischecked to determined whether it is available or not (step S505). Theavailability of the printing apparatus 106 is determined from the statusof the printer server 105 connected to the LAN 100, wherein the statusis reported back in response to a printer status request sent to theprinter server 105.

If the printing apparatus 106 is not available, then the process returnsto step S504, in which the availability of the LAN-FAX printer 215 ischecked again. On the other hand, if the printing apparatus 106 isavailable, then the print file is transferred to the printer server 105(step S506), and printed (remote-printed) by the printing apparatus 106(step S507). Then, whether the remote printing is complete or not isdetermined (step S508). If the remote printing is not complete, then theprocess returns to step S506 to continue the remote printing operation.

In the above operation, the print file is configured according to theTCP/IP protocol in which the image data is divided into several portionseach including a predetermined amount of image data, and then eachportion is transferred in turn. The printer server 105 stores thereceived print file (image data). When the amount of the received imagedata has reached one page, the printer server 105 transfers the receivedimage data to a printing apparatus 106, which in turn prints thereceived image data. The process during steps S506 through S508 isperformed using application software for remote printing that has beeninstalled beforehand in the printer server 105.

Then, the server machine 103 sends a report mail to the user (terminal)who sent the data so as to report that the print file has been printedby means of remote printing with a printing apparatus 106 connected tothe LAN 100. That is, in step S509, the LAN-FAX 101 produces a remoteprint report mail based on the user address information set in stepS502, and sends it to the information processing terminal at the aboveuser address (step S510), and then the process is complete.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, as described above,when the LAN-FAX 10 receives a print request from a client machine 104,if the printer 215 is incapable of printing it due to an error, thenprinting is performed using a printing apparatus 106. The server machine103 sends a report mail to a user who issued the print request to tellthat the received data has been remote-printed so that the user caneasily know the status from the report mail.

In the first embodiment described earlier, the destination of receivedimage data is designated by destination user name information stored inthe NSF frame. However, the present invention is not limited to this.Alternatively, for example, a password may be stored in a password (PWD)frame according to the prescription of the ITU-T standard, and theLAN-FAX 101 may convert the password to user name information. In thiscase, the LAN-FAX 101 has a password table in which user nameinformation corresponding to passwords is registered, and the LAN-FAX101 converts a password to user name information by retrieving thepassword table.

In the first embodiment, when an error is detected in the LAN-FAX 101,an image data file is transferred to the server machine 103. However,the apparatus to which the data file is transferred is not limited tothe server machine 103. For example, the data file may also betransferred to memory of another LAN-FAX or peripheral apparatusconnected to the LAN. Furthermore, not only when the printer is in ERRORstatus, but also when the printer is in BUSY status, an image data filemay be transferred to a printing apparatus 106 or another LAN-FAX 101 soas to print the image data file.

In the first and second embodiments, the protocol associated with theLAN is in accordance with the TCP/IP. However, the present invention isnot limited to this. For example, the protocol according to the SPX/IPXor the like may also be employed.

In the first embodiment, when an error is detected in the LAN-FAX 101,an image data file is transferred according to the transfer prioritythat has been defined beforehand in connection with the file type(attribute). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Forexample, the transfer priority may also be defined in connection withthe size of an image data file or the storage time at which an imagedata file was stored in the image data memory. Alternatively, a user maydefine the transfer priority in an arbitrary way without fixing thetransfer priority.

In the first and second embodiments, when an error is detected in theprinter 215 of the LAN-FAX 101, data is transferred to the printerserver 105 so as to print the data using a printing apparatus 106. Inaddition to the above operation mode, which may be referred to as afirst mode, there may be a second operation mode in which printing isperformed when the printer 215 has recovered from the error and hasbecome capable of printing. Both modes may be registered beforehand inthe LAN-FAX 101.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the apparatus to whichimage data is to be transferred is not limited to only one apparatus.Instead, the image data may be transferred to a plurality ofapparatuses. In this case, apparatuses are checked to determine if theyare available or not, and image data is transferred to the availableapparatuses, wherein information about the transfer destinations arememorized for each page.

Third Embodiment

In the first embodiment described earlier, if the available space of theimage data memory 204 of the LAN-FAX 101 has become insufficient, imagedata stored in the image data memory 204 is transferred to a servermachine 103 so that the available space of the image data memory 204becomes sufficient to continue the process. In contrast, in a thirdembodiment described hereinbelow, image data stored in the image datamemory 204 remains there, and any further image data that is received istransferred to another apparatus connected to the LAN. With thisarrangement, the communication time can be shorten compared to thatrequired in the first embodiment. In this third embodiment, a method ofmanaging image data as well as a memory managing method will also bedescribed in detail.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a memory area configurationfor explanation of the method of managing image data memory 204 of theLAN-FAX 101 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, referencenumeral 601 denotes the entire memory area to be managed. In the LAN-FAX101 of the present embodiment, the entire memory area 601 is dividedinto three areas: a transmission memory area (602); a reception memoryarea (603); and a common memory area (604) for use in both transmittingand receiving operations. As denoted by reference numeral 605, eachmemory area is further divided into n memory areas for management.

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates stored-page management informationaccording to the present embodiment. The stored-page managementinformation and stored-data management information shown in FIG. 16 arestored in assigned areas of RAM 203.

The contents of the stored-page management information can be printedout or displayed on a display device by issuing an instruction via theoperation panel 212. The stored-page number 1601 stores the page numberof stored data. The coding scheme of stored data 1602 stores the codingscheme of the stored data. The resolution of stored data 1603 stores theresolution of the stored data. The page size of stored data 1604 storesthe page size of the stored data. The stored-data start location pointer1605 is a pointer for pointing the start location of a memory area inwhich the stored-data management information is actually stored. Thestored-data end location pointer 1606 is a pointer for pointing the endlocation of a memory area in which the stored-data managementinformation is actually stored. The next-stored-data pointer 1607 is apointer for pointing the location of a memory area in which otherstored-data management information is actually stored wherein the memoryarea is linked to the previous memory area. The memory type 1608 storesinformation representing whether the stored data resides in the internalmemory of the LAN-FAX 101 or in memory of another terminal connected tothe LAN. Thestored-data-pointer/MAC-address-of-data-transfer-destination 1609 storesa pointer for pointing the stored data when the information stored inthe memory type 1608 indicates that the data is stored inside theLAN-FAX 101, or stores an MAC address of a terminal connected to the LANwhen the information stored in the memory type 1608 indicates that thedata is stored in the terminal connected to the LAN. The stored datalength 1619 stores the length of the stored data 1611, wherein thestored data 1611 is actual image data.

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates a table used to manage unusedstored-data management information according to the present embodimentof the invention.

In this figure, the number 1701 of remaining stored-data managementinformation stores the number of units of stored-data managementinformation remaining unused. The total number 1702 of units ofstored-data management information stores the total number of thestored-data management information units. The unused stored-datamanagement-information start pointer 1703 points the location of thefirst stored-data management-information remaining unused. The unusedstored-data management-information end pointer 1704 points the locationof the last stored-data management-information remaining unused. Thenext unused stored-data management-information pointer 1705 points thelocation of the next stored-data management-information remainingunused.

Now, the control procedure of the LAN-FAX 101 according to the presentembodiment of the invention will be described.

FIGS. 7-15 are flow charts illustrating the control procedure of theLAN-FAX 101 according to the present embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 7-15, the control procedure during a memory receptionoperation will be described below.

When a receiving operation starts in an image processing apparatusaccording to the present embodiment of the invention, memory allocationis performed first (step S702 in the flow chart of FIG. 7). A moredetailed flow chart associated with this reception memory allocation isshown in FIG. 10.

First, the stored-data management information is acquired via the unusedstored-data management-information start pointer 1703 so as to determinewhether there is available room in the image data memory 204 of theLAN-FAX 101 itself.

The decision result of step S1001 in FIG. 10 is negative in this casesince the operation is in the receiving operation mode. Therefore, theprocess proceeds to step S1003, in which a positive decision result isobtained and thus the process further proceeds to step S1004. In thisstep S1004, whether there is available room in the reception memory 603is examined. If there is available memory room in it, then memoryallocation is performed on the reception memory 603 (step S1006).

If it has been concluded in step S1004 that there is no available roomin the reception memory 603, then it is examined whether there isavailable room in the common memory 604 (step S1005). If there isavailable room there, the common memory 604 is allocated (step S1006).

If the common memory 604 also has no available room, that is, if thereis no available room anywhere in the image data memory 204 of theLAN-FAX 101, then the process proceeds to step S1008, in which memory ina terminal connected to the LAN is allocated (refer to FIG. 11).

If it has been concluded either in step S1003 or in step S1005 thatthere is available room, then after step S1006 in which the availablestorage memory is allocated, the information indicating that the imagedata memory 204 of the LAN-FAX 101 itself is allocated as the receptionmemory is stored in the memory type 1608 (step S101). Thus, the memoryallocation procedure is successfully completed (S1012) and returns tothe main procedure (S1013).

Referring to FIG. 11, the procedure (S1008) associated with the memoryallocation to a terminal connected to the LAN will be described ingreater detail.

In step S1101, it is determined whether the LAN-FAX 101 is connected tothe LAN via the LAN I/F 214 of the LAN-FAX 101 itself, or not.

If it has been concluded in step S1101 that the LAN-FAX 101 is connectedto the LAN, then inquiry is made as to where the image data is to besaved, and as to whether there is available room in the memory of theterminal to be allocated, so as to determine whether it is possible ornot to use the memory in the terminal connected to the LAN (S1102).

If it has been concluded in step S1102 that there is available memoryarea, then the memory in the LAN terminal is allocated instead of theimage data memory 204. The MAC address of the LAN terminal the memory ofwhich has been acquired is stored in the MAC address 1609 (step S1103).Thus, it has been concluded (step S1104) that it is possible to save thedata to the memory in the LAN terminal, and the procedure associatedwith the memory allocation to the LAN terminal returns to the mainprocedure (S1105). In the case where the LAN terminal memory isavailable for saving the data, the receiving operation is continued instep S704, and the data received hereafter is saved in the allocatedmemory.

Now, the data flow that occurs when memory of a LAN terminal isallocated will be described.

First, based on the LAN address of the file server, a transfer imagedata file is produced. This transfer image data file is configuredaccording to the protocol of the LAN to which the LAN-FAX 101 isconnected. More specifically, in this embodiment, the transfer imagedata file is configured according to the TCP/IP protocol.

The data configuration according to the TCP/IP protocol has beendescribed already, and therefore it will not be described here again.

If it has been concluded in step S1101 that the LAN-FAX 101 is notconnected to the LAN, or if it has been concluded in step S1102 that itis impossible to acquire the LAN terminal memory, then an emergencybuffer (not shown) for busy-reception action is allocated. In this case,it is concluded that it is impossible to save the data in the LANterminal memory (step S1106), and thus the LAN terminal memoryallocation procedure returns to the main procedure with the resultindicating an memory allocation error.

In step S1009, it is determined whether the LAN terminal memoryacquisition is successful or not. If it has been concluded in step S1009that the LAN terminal memory has been acquired, then the memory in theLAN terminal is allocated, and information indicating that the LANterminal memory has been allocated as the reception memory is stored inthe memory type 1608 (S1011). Then, the memory allocation procedurereturns to the main procedure (S1013). On the other hand, if it has beenconcluded in step S1009 that the LAN terminal memory has not beenacquired, the memory allocation procedure returns to the main procedurewith the result indicating a memory allocation error (S1010, S1013).

In the case where the memory allocation in step S702 is unsuccessful,busy-reception action is performed (S707 in FIG. 8).

Referring to FIG. 8, the busy-reception action S707 will be described ingreater detail.

First, busy-communication-line action is performed, that is, informationindicating that the LAN-FAX 101 is in a busy-reception status is sent tothe terminal with which the LAN-FAX 101 is communicating (S801).

In step S802, it is determined whether the LAN-FAX 101 has recoveredfrom the busy status. If the LAN-FAX 101 has not recovered yet from thebusy status, then the process continues step S801. If the LAN-FAX 101has recovered from the busy status, then information indicating that thethe LAN-FAX 101 has recovered from the busy status is sent to theterminal with which the LAN-FAX 101 is communicating (S803), and thenthe receiving operation is continued (S704).

On the other hand, in the case where the memory allocation in step S702is successful, then the data receiving operation is continued (S704),and the process waits for the completion of the data receiving operation(S705).

If the data receiving is not complete yet, then the process repeats thesteps from S702.

When all data has been received, the data reception closing operation isperformed (S706), and it is determined whether the received data shouldbe printed out or not (S708).

If it is required to print the received data, then the printing-outoperation is performed (S709), and all receiving operations are complete(S712).

Referring to FIG. 12, the printing-out operation S709 will be describedin greater detail.

In step S1201, the status of the printer 215 is examined. If the printer215 is in a normal status and available, then the image data to betransferred to the printer 215 is acquired (S1202).

Referring to FIG. 14, the image data acquisition process S1202 will bedescribed further.

First, whether there is stored data or not is determined by judgingwhether the stored-data start location pointer 1605 correctly pointsstored data (S1401). If there is no stored data, the image dataacquisition process S1202 returns to the main process with a resultindicating no stored data (S1411, S1412).

If it has been concluded in step S1401 that there is stored data, thenthe data source associated with the memory is identified (S1402) fromthe information stored in the memory type 1608, and it is determinedwhether the stored data resides in the image data memory 204 of theLAN-FAX 101 itself or not (S1403).

If the stored data resides in the image data memory 204 of the LAN-FAX101 itself, then the stored data is acquired from the image data memory204 (S1404). Thus, the image data acquisition process has been completedsuccessfully, and processing returns to the main process (S1405, S1412).

In the case where the stored data does not reside in the image datamemory 204 of the LAN-FAX 101 itself, the terminal informationassociated with the MAC address of a LAN terminal in which the storeddata resides is acquired from theMAC-address-of-data-transfer-destination 1609 (S1406). Then, inquiry ismade as to whether the LAN terminal has the stored data (S1407).

If yes, then the stored-data is acquired from the LAN terminal (S1409),and the process returns to the main process with a successful result(S1405, S1412).

On the other hand, if the result of the above inquiry about the storeddata is negative, then the process returns to the main process with aresult representing a data-acquisition error (S1410, S1412).

If the image data has been acquired successfully in step S1202, then theimage data is transferred to the printer 215 (S1204). After thesuccessful completion of the transfer, the memory is released (S1205),and step S1201 and the subsequent steps are continued. If there is noimage data or if it is impossible to acquire image data, then theprinting-out process simply returns to the main process (S1206).

If it has been concluded in step S1201 that the printer 215 is not in anormal status, then the process waits for the recovery of the printer215 (S1207).

Referring to FIG. 15, the memory releasing process S1205 will bedescribed below in more detail.

The data source associated with the memory is identified (S1501) fromthe information stored in the memory type 1608, and it is determinedwhether the stored data resides in a LAN terminal memory (S1502).

If it has been concluded in step S1502 that the stored data resides inthe LAN terminal memory, the MAC address of the LAN terminal to whichthe data was transferred is acquired from theMAC-address-of-data-transfer-destination 1609 (S1503). After sending amessage to the LAN terminal saying that the memory will be released(S1504), the stored-data management information is linked to the unusedstored-data management-information end pointer 1704. Then, the memoryreleasing process returns to the main process (S1506).

On the other hand, if it has been concluded in step S1502 that thestored data does not reside in the LAN terminal memory, then the statusof the memory managed by the LAN-FAX 101 itself is changed to an unusedstatus (S1505), and then the stored-data management information islinked to the unused stored-data management-information end pointer1704. Then, the memory releasing process returns to the main process(S1506).

If it has been concluded in step S708 of FIG. 7 that it is not requiredto print out the received data, then it is determined whether thereceived data is required to be transferred to a LAN terminal (S710).

If the received data is required to be transferred to the LAN terminal,the received data is transferred to the LAN terminal in step S711, andthus the entire receiving process is complete (S712).

Referring to FIG. 13, the process S711 of the data transfer to a LANterminal will be described below in more detail.

The information such as the MAC address of a LAN terminal to which thedata is to be transferred is acquired from theMAC-address-of-data-transfer-destination 1609 (S1301). The status of theLAN terminal is examined in step S1302. If the LAN terminal is in anormal status, then the image data to be transferred is acquired(S1303). The image data acquisition process in step S1303 is essentiallythe same as that in step S1202 shown in FIG. 12, and therefore it willbe not described here again.

If the image data has been acquired successfully in step S1303, theimage data is transferred to the LAN terminal (S1305). After thesuccessful completion of the data transfer, the memory is released, andstep S1201 and the subsequent steps are continued.

The memory releasing process S1306 is essentially the same as that instep S1205 shown in FIG. 12, and therefore it will be not described hereagain.

In step S1304, if there is no image data or if it is impossible toacquire image data, then the process simply returns to the main process(S1307).

In step S1302, if the LAN terminal is not in a normal status, then theprocess waits for the recovery of the LAN terminal (S1308).

If the received data is not required to be transferred to the LANterminal, then the entire receiving process is complete (S712).

In the third embodiment described above, even if the available space inthe image data memory 204 of the LAN-FAX 101 has become insufficient,received data can be stored in memory of another apparatus connected tothe LAN. Therefore, it is possible to continue the data receptionwithout a break or a communication delay.

Furthermore, since the LAN-FAX 101 has the capability of managing theinformation such as the location where the stored data resides, the pagenumber, the data amount, an operator can easily know the presentsituation.

The present embodiment also allows the LAN-FAX 101 to performhigh-capacity communication without expanding the image data memory 204in the LAN-FAX 101 itself.

Fourth Embodiment

In a fourth embodiment described below, memory transmission is achievedaccording to a method similar to that in the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the transmission procedure in aLAN-FAX according to the present embodiment of the invention. Atransmission process starts at step S901, and the LAN-FAX reads data tobe transmitted (S902).

Here, the data to be transmitted includes image data that is read by thescanner 211, data that is sent to the LAN-FAX 101 from another LANterminal via the LAN I/F 214, etc.

In this LAN-FAX according to the present embodiment, when the reading ofthe transmission data starts, memory allocation is performed (S903) inparallel to the reading operation so that the transmission data can bestored in the allocated area of the image data memory in the LAN-FAX.

This memory allocation process is shown in more detail in FIG. 10. Instep S1001 shown in FIG. 10, the decision result is yes since theprocess is now in the middle of the transmission operation, and thus theprocess proceeds to step S1002.

In step S1002 shown in FIG. 10, the availability of memory space in thetransmission memory 602 is examined. If there is available memory in it,then the transmission memory 602 is allocated (S1006). However, if thereis no available room in the transmission memory 602, the availability ofthe common memory 604 is examined (S1005). If there is available area init, then the common memory is allocated (S1006).

If neither the transmission memory 602 nor the common memory 604 hasavailable area, then the process proceeds to the LAN allocation process(S1008) as in the case of the receiving operation. This LAN allocationprocess is performed in substantially the same manner as in the case ofthe receiving operation in the third embodiment described above, andtherefore the description about it will not be repeated here. In thememory allocation process S903, if the memory allocation has failed,then the data reading operation such as the reading of the image datavia the scanner 211 is suspended, and a busy-transmission action isperformed (S912). The process waits for successful completion of thememory allocation.

If the memory allocation is successfully complete in the memoryallocation process S903, then the data reading operation is continued(S905). The process waits for the completion of the data readingoperation in step S906.

If the data reading operation is not complete yet, step S903 and thesubsequent steps are repeated.

When the data reading operation is complete, a transmission operationstarts (S907), and the data to be transmitted is acquired (S908).

Here, the data acquisition process is essentially the same as that inthe receiving operation, and therefore the duplicated description aboutit will not be given.

If the transmission data has been successfully acquired in the dataacquisition process S908, then the acquired transmission data istransmitted according to the communication protocol of the LAN-FAX(S910). Then, steps S908 and the subsequent steps are continuedrepeatedly.

In the data acquisition process S908, if there is no transmission data,or if the transmission data acquisition has failed, then the entiretransmission process is simply terminated (S911).

In the fourth embodiment described above, the transmission operation canbe performed without a break in the operation due to lack of theavailable memory area in the transmission memory. The present embodimentalso allows the LAN-FAX 101 to perform high-capacity communicationwithout expanding the image data memory 204 in the LAN-FAX 101 itself.

The communication line to which the LAN-FAX is connected is not limitedto the ISDN or PSTN. The LAN-FAX may also be connected for example to anexisting digital communication network, a private communication line, orother types of communication lines.

Furthermore, the protocol used in the LAN is not limited to the TPC/IP.Any other type of protocol such as the SPX/IPX may also be employed.

Fifth Embodiment

As described above, when a facsimile apparatus is connected to a LAN, itis possible to detect an error or failure that occurs inside theLAN-FAX. However, an error or failure in the LAN, such as disconnectionof a communication cable, has to be detected by a user by means ofvisual inspection or the like. In this fifth embodiment described here,the LAN-FAX 101 has the capability of detecting such an error in theLAN.

Referring to the flow chart shown in FIG. 18, the receiving operation ofthe LAN-FAX 101 according to the present embodiment of the inventionwill be described.

First, the reception service stored in a frame that has been received atthe beginning of a call from a sending station is analyzed (step S1801).In this reception service analysis, the DCS (digital command signal) ina G3-type facsimile, NSF (non-standard function) frame, etc., areanalyzed. Based on the analysis result, it is determined whether therequested reception service is a data transfer to a terminal connectedto the LAN 100 (step S1802). If data transfer is requested, then it isdetermined whether the LAN 100 is in an error status or not (stepS1803). The status of the LAN is set in such a manner described laterreferring to the flow chart of FIG. 19. If it has been concluded thatthere is an error in the LAN 100, then the communication line isdisconnected (step S1811), and the receiving operation is terminated. Inthe case of the G3-type facsimile procedure, the above disconnection ofthe communication line is performed by sending a DCN (disconnection)command after receiving an NSF and TCF (training check).

In step S1803, if it has been concluded that the LAN 100 is in a normalstatus, then data is received from a sending station according to thenormal receiving procedure (step S1804). After the completion of thereceiving operation, the communication line connected to an existingcommunication network (public telephone network) 102 is disconnected(step S1805), and then the received data is transferred to the servermachine 103 from the LAN-FAX 101.

The data transfer to the server machine 103 will be described below ingreater detail. First, based on the address of the server machine 103with respect to the LAN 100, a transfer image (received image) data fileis produced. This transfer image data file is configured according tothe protocol of the LAN 100 to which the LAN-FAX 101 is connected. Inthis embodiment, since the protocol of the LAN 100 is defined accordingto TCP/IP protocol as described above, the transfer image data file isconfigured according to the TCP/IP protocol. The obtained transfer imagedata file is sent out via the LAN interface 214 of the LAN-FAX 101 so asto transfer the data file to the server machine 103 via the LAN 100. Ifa user of the LAN-FAX 101 issues a printing command, a transfer-backrequest is automatically sent to the server machine 103, and thereceived image data file that was transferred to the server machine 103is printed out.

The data configuration according to the TCP/IP has been described abovealready, and therefore it will not be described here.

After the LAN-FAX 101 has transferred the image data file associatedwith the received data, the LAN-FAX 101 deletes the received data (stepS1807). Then, the receiving operation is complete. In the above deletingprocess, the transfer image data stored in the image data memory 204 isdeleted.

If it has been concluded in step S1802 that the requested receptionservice is not a data transfer, then the data is received according tothe normal receiving procedure (step S1808). Then, the communicationline is disconnected (step S1809). After the disconnection of thecommunication line, the received image data is printed out using theprinter 215 (step S1810), and thus the receiving operation is complete.

In the above steps from S1808 through S1810, the operation is the sameas in the case of a usual facsimile apparatus that is not connected tothe LAN 100, wherein the received data may also be printed out beforethe completion of the disconnection of the communication line, or thereceived data may not be printed out depending on the requested service.Furthermore, as for steps S1805 and S1806, step S1806 may be performedfirst, followed by step S1805, or otherwise, these steps may beperformed at the same time.

Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 19, the error detection of the LAN100 will be described.

The error detection of the LAN 100 is performed by the LAN-FAX 101 attime intervals set in a TL timer (step S1901). A user can set the TLtimer to an arbitrary interval value. Thus, at the end of each timeinterval designated by the TL timer, the LAN-FAX 101 determines whetherit is in the middle of a communication operation (step S1902). If theLAN-FAX 101 is in the middle of the communication, the error detectionof the LAN 100 is performed after the completion of the communication.(step S1908).

If the LAN-FAX 101 is not in a communicating operation, then the errordetection is performed immediately. In either case, at the beginning ofthe error detection process, dummy data or test data is sent to the LAN100 (step S1903).

A LAN terminal usually has two ports, a transmission port and areception port, so that both transmitting and receiving operations canbe performed at the same time via these two ports. In the presentembodiment, it is assumed that the apparatus has the capability of theabove-described simultaneous operations. In most LANs such as Ethernet(registered trademark of Xerox), data transmitted by one terminal issent via a bus-type network to all terminals including the terminalitself that has transmitted the data whereby communication amongarbitrary terminals is achieved. In the present embodiment,communication is performed according to this method.

In step S1904, the original dummy data (test data) that was transmittedto the LAN 100 in step S1903 is compared with the data that has returnedback to the LAN-FAX 101 after the traveling via the LAN 100. It isdetermined whether these two data are coincident with each other. (stepS1905). If both data are coincident with each other, the LAN 100 isregarded as normal and a normal LAN operation is performed according toa predetermined procedure (step S1907), and then the process returns tostep S1901. If there is a difference between the above two data, it isconcluded that there is an error in the LAN 100. In this case, a LANerror process is performed according to a predetermined procedure (stepS1906), and then the process returns to step S1901.

In the normal LAN operation, information indicating that the LAN 100 isin a normal status is given via the external display 217, or theinformation indicating that the LAN 100 is in a normal status isdirectly written in the LAN status without displaying any information onthe external display 217. On the other hand, in the LAN error process,information indicating that there is an error in the LAN 100 is givenvia the external display 217, and the information indicating that theLAN 100 is in a normal status is written in the LAN status. This LANstatus is referred to during the receiving operation shown in FIG. 18.As described above, the process periodically returns to step 1901 so asalways to provide the newest LAN status to a user.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an indicatorfor indicating the LAN status to a user.

In FIG. 20, reference numeral 2001 denotes a ten-key used for inputtingparticular data associated with for example PB tones or dial pulses, orused for setting the TL timer interval or the error detection timeinterval, and reference numeral 2002 denotes start and stop keys usedfor starting or stopping the operation of the facsimile apparatus,wherein elements 2001 and 2002 are parts of the operation panel 212shown in FIG. 2.

Reference numeral 2003 denotes a message display composed of an LCD orthe like, and reference numeral 2004 denotes an LED for indicating theoccurrence of an error in the LAN. These elements 2003 and 2004 form theexternal display 217 shown in FIG. 2. When an error occurs in the LAN,the message display 2003 displays a message indicating what should bedone to solve the error, as shown in FIG. 20. Reference numeral 2005denotes a loudspeaker for generating a sound warning of the occurrenceof an error in the LAN.

As long as the LAN status includes information indicating that there isan error in the LAN 100, the message display 2003, LED 2004, andloudspeaker 2005 continue the indication of the occurrence of the errorin the LAN. However, if the operation panel 212 is operated, then theLAN-FAX understands that a user has acquired the occurrence of the errorin the LAN, and the LAN status changes to a normal status. Thus, themessage display 2003, LED 2004, and loudspeaker 2005 stop the indicationof the LAN error.

In the receiving operation according to the fifth embodiment, when anerror in the LAN 100 is detected, a call to the LAN-FAX is refused.However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, theLAN-FAX may accept a call containing data that is requested to betransferred without refusing it, and may print out the data instead oftransferring it. In this case, if it has been concluded in step S1803 ofFIG. 18 that the LAN status indicates an error, steps 51808 throughS1810 are performed. Furthermore, if the image data memory 204 has alarge capacity, the received data may be stored in the memory 204without printing it out. The information about the above result is givento a data source station as well as the LAN-FAX 101.

In the receiving operation according to the fifth embodiment, the typeof service on the received image data is designated by the serviceinformation stored in the NSF frame. However, the designation method isnot limited to this.

For example, a password is stored in a password (PWD) frame according tothe prescription of the ITU-T, so that the LAN-FAX 101 converts thepassword to service information or the address to which the receiveddata is to be transferred. Furthermore, the existing communicationnetwork is not limited to the public telephone network. A digitalcommunication line such as the ISDN may also be employed. In this case,the type of the service on the received image data may be designated bya command or a control document such as CSS, CDCL, CDS, etc., used inthe G4-type facsimile.

Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the protocol of the LAN is definedaccording to the TPC/IP. Alternatively, another type of protocol such asthe SPX/IPX may also be employed.

In the fifth embodiment, the LAN-FAX 100 gives a warning of theoccurrence of an error to a user by means of a visual or audibleexpression. Alternatively, the LAN-FAX 101 sends an audio signal or datato a system manager or an administrative system server via an existingcommunication line so that a proper action to eliminate the error can betaken.

According to the fifth embodiment of the invention, as described above,there is provided a facsimile apparatus connected to both an existingcommunication line and a LAN, that has the capability of detecting anerror in the LAN thereby allowing a user to do proper action for theerror. That is, the facsimile apparatus according to the presentembodiment has the capability of monitoring the occurrence of an errorin the LAN at periodic intervals set to an arbitrary value by a user.Furthermore, when an error occurs in the LAN, information of the erroroccurrence is given to a user, thereby allowing the user to properlydeal with the error before starting the operation of the facsimileapparatus. Thus, the facsimile apparatus according to the presentembodiment of the invention provides an excellent user interface.

Furthermore, if the facsimile apparatus receives a call when there is anerror in the LAN, the type of received data is determined. If the datatransfer is requested, then the facsimile apparatus refuses thereception of the call thereby preventing the memory of the facsimileapparatus from being full. Thus, the facsimile apparatus according tothe present embodiment of the invention provides improved capabilities.

Sixth Embodiment

In one of techniques known in the art, an external apparatus such as apersonal computer is connected to a facsimile apparatus so that theexternal apparatus issues various commands associated with reading,transmission, or other operations to the facsimile apparatus. However,in the above known technique, the external apparatus that is connectedto the facsimile apparatus must have a special capability.

Furthermore, in the case where a plurality of client machines andfacsimile apparatuses are connected to a LAN, only a special clientmachine can issue commands to force the facsimile apparatuses toparticular operations.

In view of the above, a sixth embodiment of the invention provides amethod that allows a plurality of client machines connected to a LAN tomake effective use of a facsimile apparatus.

Referring to the time chart shown in FIG. 21, an example ofautomatically setting a mode of a LAN-FAX 101 will be described below.

If a packet associated with a transmission request is sent from acertain client machine 104 to the LAN-FAX 101 at timing denoted by (1)in FIG. 21, then the operation mode is set to a transmission mode, andthe LAN-FAX starts a transmission operation to transmit the packetassociated with the transmission request to a designated destination. Inthis case, as a matter of course, the packet contains a transmissionrequest in its data area. The term “timing” is used here to refer to thetiming of the packet according to the TCP/IP protocol that is employedhere as the protocol of the LAN 100.

Furthermore, if the LAN-FAX 101 receives another packet associated witha print request from another client machine 104 at timing (2), then theLAN-FAX 101 additionally establishes a print (record) mode and starts aprint operation to print the data contained in the packet associatedwith the print request using the printer 215. In this case, the CPU 201performs control operations associated with both transmission and printin parallel by means of time-sharing.

After the completion of the transmission of the successive data whereinthe data was divided into a plurality of packets and sent to the LAN-FAX101 from the client at the timing (1), the transmission mode is reset.In this state, at timing (3), if the LAN-FAX 101 has received anotherpacket associated with a transmission request from still another clientmachine 104, the LAN-FAX 101 is set again so that the LAN-FAX 101 canoperate in a transmission mode and a transmission operation is startedso as to transmit the packet associated with the transmission request toa designated destination.

In this way, packets are sent in sequence to the LAN-FAX, and theLAN-FAX automatically sets a proper operation mode based on the modesetting information (processing command) contained in the respectivepackets so as to perform an operation such as communication, printing,or reading corresponding to the mode set above. As for the processcommands, standard process commands may be employed, or otherwise, anycommands set by a user may also be used. In this way, each client canaccomplish a desired operation without being aware of the operationstatus of the LAN-FAX 101. In this embodiment, furthermore, there is noneed to have a personal computer dedicated for the LAN-FAX 101.

Now, process commands provided by each client machine 104 will bedescribed. A client machine 104 that desires to make use of a functionof the LAN-FAX 101 (it is assumed here that the client machine 104 isgoing to make a transmission request) produces a transmission image datafile based on the address of the client machine itself with respect tothe LAN 100. This transmission image data file is configured accordingto the protocol of the LAN to which the client machine 104 is connected.More specifically, the protocol of the LAN in this embodiment is definedaccording to the TCP/IP protocol, and therefore the transmission imagedata file is configured according to the TCP/IP protocol. The dataconfiguration according to the TCP/IP has been described alreadyearlier, and therefore it is not explained here again.

The data field 2408 includes data such as image data and processcommands. Since the maximum data length of this data field 2408 islimited as shown in FIG. 24, when image data or other data istransmitted, a plurality of packets are sent for one process (printprocess, for example).

In this embodiment, when image data to be transmitted is stored inmemory of the server machine 103, it is required to identify its filetype, file number, and process mode. For this purpose, a command dataheader containing the above file information and an image data filecontaining image data are disposed in the above data field, therebyachieving correct transmission control. The file information containedin the command data header is analyzed by application software for filetype analysis installed on the server machine 103, whereby the type ofthe image file and other information are managed by the server machine103.

Referring to the flow chart shown in FIG. 22, the automatic setting ofthe process mode of the LAN-FAX 101 will be described below.

First, the LAN-FAX 101 receives, via the LAN interface 214, the abovefile sent from the server machine 103 in the form of packets, andaccepts a request represented by a process command (step S2201). Then,the accepted process command is analyzed to determine what operationmode is requested, and the new operation mode is set based on the aboveanalysis result of the process command (step S2202). Thus, the operationmode is set to one of: a communication mode; printing mode; or readingmode.

Then, it is determined whether the new operation mode is coincident withthe current operation mode that was set previously (step S2203). Even ifboth modes are coincident with each other in the above comparisonprocess, the received data will be regarded as invalid data if there isan inconsistency in the address of the client machine 104 (or otherwiseif a message is sent to the server machine 103 to tell that the data isunacceptable because the LAN-FAX is busy with another data of the sametype).

On the other hand, if the new operation mode is not coincident with thecurrent operation mode that was set previously, the new operation modeis employed as the current operation mode via the selector 218 (stepS2204), and then the process proceeds to step S2205. If the newoperation mode is coincident with the current operation mode that wasset previously, the process proceeds to step S2205 without changing theoperation mode.

If the current operation mode is changed to a communication mode, thecommunication line or the LAN connection is changed via the selector 218so that the LAN-FAX is connected to the destination to which the data isto be transmitted.

Then, the type of the operation mode corresponding to the processcommand (associated with the new mode) is detected (step S2205), and aninstruction directing that the operation corresponding to the detectedmode should start is given (steps S2206-S2208). According to thisinstruction, if it has been concluded that the new operation modecorresponding to the command contained in the packet is for example atransmission mode, then the data that has been received this time andthat is requested to be transmitted is stored in the transmissionmemory. Thus, the transmission operation starts to transmit the data toanother facsimile apparatus via the communication line 102. In the abovetransmission operation, the data is transmitted via the LAN 100, at arate of 10 Mbps in the case of the 10-Base-T connection of Ethernet, forexample. In contrast, the data is transmitted via the communication line102 at a rate of 19.2 Kbps. This great difference in the transmissionrate allows the communication to be performed smoothly without makingthe communication line 102 wait for data arrival of data via the LAN100.

If the operation mode corresponding to the command contained in thepacket received this time is a recording mode, then the printerformatter 216 performs data conversion on the data contained in thepackets that have been received this type wherein the data is requestedto be recorded. When one page of data has been converted, the printer215 starts a printing operation to print the data (step S2207). On theother hand, if the operation mode corresponding to the command containedin the packet received this time is a reading mode, then a readingoperation starts, and the image data that has been read via the scanner211 is transferred via the LAN interface 214 to the server machine 103(step S2208).

Then, it is determined whether the command data header of the packetthat has been received at this time includes an end-of-mode codedeclaring the end of the process (step S2209). If there is noend-of-mode code, and thus the end of the process is not declared, thenthe process is simply complete. On the other hand, if there is anend-of-mode code and thus the end of the process is declared, then theprocess mode that is declared to be ended, that is the process modecorresponding to the command contained in the packet received this time,is reset so that the process mode can be set to a new mode (step S2210),and then the process is complete.

In this way, the process mode is automatically set based on a processcommand contained in each packet. In the case where a plurality ofprocess modes are set, the CPU 201 performs control operationsassociated with the plurality of process modes in parallel by means oftime-sharing.

Seventh Embodiment

In the sixth embodiment described above, the process mode isautomatically set in turn based on the packet sent from each clientmachine 104 via the LAN 100. However, since one process is comprised ofa plurality of packets, the process mode may also be automatically setto a corresponding mode, and then the process mode may be fixed to it,that is, the process mode is set to a fixed process mode, until oneprocess-has been complete. After the completion of one process, theprocess mode may be automatically switched to a new mode if necessary.

The fixed process mode according to the seventh embodiment of theinvention will be described further referring to the flow chart shown inFIG. 23.

In the fixed process mode, the LAN-FAX receives via the LAN interface214 a file sent in the form of packets from the server machine 103, andaccepts a request represented by a process command (step S2301). Then,the accepted process command is analyzed to determine what operationmode is requested, and the new operation mode is set based on the aboveanalysis result of the process command Thus, the operation mode is setto one of: a communication mode; printing mode; or reading mode. (stepS2302).

Subsequently, it is determined whether the process mode is acontinuation mode or not (step S2303). At the first reception of apacket after the starting of the apparatus and at the first reception ofa packet after the completion of one process, the process mode isassumed to be not a continuation mode. At the second reception of apacket, it is determined whether the new mode is coincident with thecurrent mode. If both are coincident with each other, the process modeis set to a continuation process mode. At the third and the subsequentreception of packets, it is determined whether the process mode has beenset to a continuation mode or not.

If it has been concluded in step S2303 that the process mode is acontinuation mode, then the process is simply complete, and thus thereceived packet is regarded as an invalid packet. In this case, amessage may be sent to the server machine 103 to tell that the data isunacceptable because the LAN-FAX is busy with processing of another datain the same processing mode, and then the process may be complete. Evenif the new and current modes are coincident with each other at thesecond reception of a packet described above, the received data will beregarded as an invalid data if there is an inconsistency in the addressof the client machine 104.

On the other hand, if it has been concluded that the process mode is nota continuation mode, then, the type of the process mode corresponding tothe process command (associated with the new mode) is detected (stepS2304), and the new mode is employed as the current process mode via themode selector 218. Then, an instruction directing that the operationcorresponding to the detected mode should start is given (stepsS2305-S2307).

Then, it is determined whether the command data header of the packetthat has been received this time includes an end-of-mode code declaringthe end of the process (step S2209). If there is no end-of-mode code,and thus the end of the process is not declared, then the process iscomplete after setting the process mode to a continuation mode. On theother hand, if there is an end-of-mode code and thus the end of theprocess is declared, then the process mode associated with the commandcontained in the received packet and the continuation mode are reset sothat the process mode can be set to a new mode (step S2309), and thenthe process is complete.

In this way, the process mode of the LAN-FAX 101 is fixed until oneprocess (transmission process, for example) has been complete. When thenext packet has been received after the completion of one process(transmission process, for example), the process mode is set to a newmode corresponding to the process command contained in the receivedpacket.

In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the protocol of the LAN 100 isdefined according to the TPC/IP. However, the protocol is not limitedonly to this, and another type of protocol such as the SPX/IPX may alsobe employed. Furthermore, in the sixth and seventh embodiments, theprocess mode is automatically set based on a process command receivedvia the LAN. Alternatively, the process mode may also be automaticallyset based on a process command received via the communication line 101.

In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the process mode is automaticallydetermined based on process commands described in command headers thatare sent sequentially. Alternatively, the priority may be defined foreach process mode, and if a process command corresponding to a processmode having high priority has been received during a certain constanttime period, this process mode may be employed in preference to othermodes. Furthermore, instead of employing the fixed priority of themodes, a user may also set the priority of the modes.

In the sixth and seventh embodiments, as described above, the LAN-FAXincludes: an interface via which the LAN-FAX is connected to the LAN;analysis means for analyzing a process command received via the LAN orthe existing communication line; mode setting means for setting theprocess mode so that a process corresponding to the process commandanalyzed by the analysis means is performed via communication means,recording means, or reading means. In this arrangement, there is no needto have a dedicated personal computer acting as a facsimile server.Furthermore, there is no need for a user to set various modes of thefacsimile apparatus via a dedicated personal computer. Thus, it ispossible to connect the facsimile apparatus to a LAN in addition to anexisting communication line at a low cost, and it is also possible tomake effective use of the capability of the facsimile apparatus.

As described above, the present invention provides a data processingapparatus connected to a LAN, that has no problems such as those inconventional techniques, wherein its various capabilities can be usedeffectively.

While the present invention has been described with reference tospecific preferable embodiments, the description is illustrative of theinvention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. It willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications arepossible without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A data processing apparatus connectable to a LAN, comprising: areceiver, adapted to receive image data sent by a sender, said dataprocessing apparatus being set by the sender as a destination of theimage data; a storage unit, adapted to store the image data received bysaid receiver; a printer, adapted to print an image based on the imagedata received by said receiver; an identification unit, adapted toobtain user information about a user for whom the image data received bysaid receiver was received; a transfer unit, adapted to transfer theimage data received by said receiver to be printed by said printer fromsaid data processing apparatus to a terminal connected to the LANthrough the LAN when it is impossible to store the image data in saidstorage unit without printing the image based on the image data receivedby said receiver by said printer; a generation unit, adapted to generatea predetermined notification, based on the user information obtained bysaid identification unit, to notify the user that the image data hasbeen transferred by said transfer unit from the destination to anotherdestination, the notification including information indicating theterminal to which the image data is transferred by said transfer unit;and a sending unit, adapted to send the predetermined notificationgenerated by said generation unit to the user corresponding to the userinformation obtained by said identification unit as mail.
 2. A dataprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage unit isadapted to store information used to discriminate to which terminal thedata is transferred by said transfer unit.
 3. A data processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer unit transfers thedata received by said receiver when a printer for printing the data isin an error state.
 4. A method of controlling a data processingapparatus connectable to a LAN, comprising the steps of: receiving imagedata sent by a sender, the data processing apparatus being set by thesender as a destination of the image data; storing the image datareceived in said receiving step in a storage unit; printing an imagebased on the image data received in said receiving step; obtaining userinformation about a user for whom the image data received in saidreceiving step was received; transferring the image data received insaid receiving step to be printed in said printing step from the dataprocessing apparatus to a terminal connected to the LAN through the LANwhen it is impossible to store the image data in the storage unitwithout printing the image based on the image data received in saidreceiving step; generating a predetermined notification, based on theuser information obtained in said obtaining step, to notify the userthat the image data has been transferred in said transferring step fromthe destination to another destination, the notification includinginformation indicating the terminal to which the image data istransferred in said transferring step; and sending the predeterminednotification generated in said generating step to the user correspondingto the user information obtained in said obtaining step as mail.
 5. Adata processing apparatus connected to a LAN, comprising: a receiver,adapted to receive image data through a communication line from asender, said data processing apparatus being set by the sender as adestination of the image data; a storage unit, adapted to store theimage data received by said receiver; a printer, adapted to print animage based on the image data received by said receiver; a transferunit, adapted to transfer the image data stored in said storage unit tobe printed by said printer from said data processing apparatus to aterminal connected to the LAN through the LAN in a case where apredetermined condition is satisfied without printing the image based onthe image data received by said receiver by said printer; and a sendingunit, adapted to send a report mail indicating that the image datareceived by said receiver was transferred by said transfer unit from thedestination to another destination.
 6. The apparatus according to claim5, further comprising a printer adapted to print an image based on thedata received by said receiver, wherein said transfer unit transfers thedata in a case where said printer is in an error state.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein said transfer unit transfers the datareceived by said receiver in a case where said storage unit is in a fullstate.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said transfer unittransfers the data in accordance with an internet protocol.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 8, wherein said transfer unit transfers thedata in accordance with a TCP/IP protocol.
 10. The apparatus accordingto claim 5, wherein said transfer unit selects the data to betransferred in accordance with a priority.
 11. A method of operating adata processing apparatus connectable to a LAN, said method comprisingthe steps of: receiving image data through a communication line from asender, the data processing apparatus being set by the sender as adestination of the image data; storing the image data received in saidreceiving step in a storage unit; printing an image based on the imagedata received in said receiving step; transferring the image data storedin said storing step to be printed in said printing step from the dataprocessing apparatus to a terminal connected to the LAN through the LANin a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied without printingthe image based on the image data received in said receiving step; andsending a report mail indicating that the image data received in saidreceiving step was transferred in said transfer step from thedestination to another destination.